PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that more information is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of PTSD, GAD, and depression are related to his service. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of retained shrapnel, left hand; service connection for rheumatoid arthritis; service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (depression); service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome; service connection for a respiratory disability; service connection for a skin disorder (dermatitis); and service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to Sjogren’s disease has been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and her left knee and respiratory disorders are denied due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder was granted service connection, but the initial rating of 30% is denied. Service connections for bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability were all granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating, and has remanded for further development regarding TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and a TDIU prior to June 12, 2019 are being remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records and another VA psychiatric examination. The case will be reconsidered and an SSOC issued if necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his acquired psychiatric disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to his explicit and unambiguous withdrawal of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD. The Veteran is requested to provide an expert opinion from a psychologist or psychiatrist that addresses his claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD and there is no causal relationship between his military service and any diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective March 29, 2013. Service connection for a right knee scar was granted with an effective date of June 16, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim from January 11, 2011 to July 8, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus, make it impossible for him to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was initially received on April 3, 2009. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at March 30, 2018, when the VA medical examination found the Veteran met the criteria for PTSD related to military stressors.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his active service. Service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for PTSD as of November 9, 2018, finding that the Veteran's symptoms result in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Psychiatric Disorder, including schizophrenia and an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD is remanded due to the lack of a VA PTSD examination report from August 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer and PTSD was denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for DMII is remanded, as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current medical findings. The Veteran's claim for hypertension is also remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DMII) requires a restricted diet and an oral hypoglycemic agent but has not required regulation of activities or insulin, resulting in a 20 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been dismissed due to his death.